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CreativeLive is a Seattle, Washington-based online education platform that provides live-streamed and on-demand classes focusing on photography, design, music, craft, and creative entrepreneurship. The enterprise operates a scalable freemium business model where live instructional video broadcasts are available globally at no cost, generating its primary revenue through the sale of lifetime access to recorded courses. Operating with an estimated 51 to 200 employees across its corporate offices, the digital education platform has delivered billions of minutes of learning content to a user base of more than 10 million creators worldwide. Prior to its strategic acquisition by the freelance marketplace Fiverr in 2021, the company secured financial backing from prominent venture capital firms including Greylock Partners, Felicis Ventures, Social Capital, and GV. CreativeLive was originally founded in 2010 by co-founders Chase Jarvis and Craig Swanson.
CreativeLive has raised $67.0M across 4 funding rounds.
CreativeLive has raised $67.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
CreativeLive has raised $67.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series B in May 2017.
CreativeLive is an online education platform offering live and on-demand courses in creative fields like photography, design, videography, music, crafting, business, and entrepreneurship.[1][2][3][6] It serves creative professionals, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and aspiring creators worldwide through a freemium model—live classes are free, with paid access to recordings and resources—solving the problem of accessible, high-quality skill-building from top experts without geographic or cost barriers.[1][3][5][6] Backed by $54.5M in funding and now operating under Fiverr following its 2021 acquisition, it has grown to over 10 million students, 1,500+ classes, and 650+ instructors, with strong momentum evidenced by reported $137.4M revenue and expansions like acquiring Wildist for outdoor photography courses.[2][3][4]
CreativeLive was founded in 2009–2010 by photographer, director, and artist Chase Jarvis and entrepreneur Craig Swanson in Seattle, Washington, with offices also in San Francisco.[1][2][3][4] The idea emerged from their desire to democratize access to workshops by top creatives, starting with experiments like a December 2009 Jason Hoppe Photoshop class that trended on Twitter and validated demand.[3] Early traction came from this freemium live-stream model, attracting investors like Greylock Partners and Social+Capital; Jarvis remains CEO.[1][2] Pivotal moments include scaling to 1,500+ curated classes by around 2016 and the 2021 acquisition by Fiverr, which allowed standalone growth while integrating with freelance ecosystems.[2][3][4]
CreativeLive rides the explosion of online learning and creator economy trends, accelerated by remote work and digital tools post-2020, positioning it amid platforms like Skillshare and Pluralsight in a market hungry for specialized creative upskilling.[2][6] Timing aligns with AI-driven content creation and freelance booms, amplified by its Fiverr acquisition, which merges education with gig services to empower solopreneurs.[2][4] Market forces like demand for affordable, expert-led alternatives to traditional education favor its model, influencing the ecosystem by nurturing 10M+ creators who drive content innovation and entrepreneurship.[1][3]
CreativeLive's integration with Fiverr positions it for hybrid growth, blending education with freelance tools amid rising AI-assisted creativity and lifelong learning demands. Expect expansions in emerging areas like AI-enhanced design or entrepreneurship, leveraging its 10M+ community to dominate niche creative edtech. As creator tools evolve, its influence could deepen by powering the next wave of digital hustlers, solidifying its role from skill-builder to ecosystem enabler—echoing its founding mission to unlock the creator in everyone.[3][6]
CreativeLive has raised $67.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
CreativeLive's investors include Deborah Quazzo, Accel, Amasia, Bond, Calibrate Ventures, FirstMark Capital, First Round Capital, Footwork, FPV Fund, Gotham Gal Ventures, Greylock, Grishin Robotics.
